The most profligate extravagance charac-…
source date: 1890
availability: public-domain

nto which the county finances were being plunged. The most profligate extravagance charac- terizes the purchases made by the agents of the county in the past two years, and bills for supplies at prices far in excess of those charged to individuals have been allowed and paid. We have evidence that about 700 cords of wood have been bought for use of the court house and jail since January 1st, 1889, at the price of $2.50 per cord at the same time. One contract was made with G. DeVega by Sheriff Whitehill for 75 cords at $3.00 per cord, which was delivered by other parties to whom Mr. Whitehill paid $2.75 per cord, and obligingly held out 25 cents per cord for contractor De- Vega. Nineteen and one-half cords of wood bought by the agent of the county of Frank Silvear paid for by warrant No. 533, $58.50, dated February 13, 1889, was duly delivered at the residence of Mr. F. P. Whitehill, and is now there. Mr. F. P. Whitehill testified that he settled with Mr. Morehead for the wood, who was to pay Sheriff Whitehill for it, and of course if so paid, the money should be refunded to the county. This has not been done, and the grand jury recommended that the proper officers take the necessary steps for the recovery of either the wood or the money.